By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma opened up an early 11-0 lead against Siloam Springs Tuesday night.
But junior Jordan Gramlich scored six late points to help solidify the team’s first 5A-West win of the season Tuesday night at Charles B. Dyer Arena. Alma’s hard-fought 46-38 victory helped the team snap a five-game losing streak.
It’s the first conference win for first-year coach Chanlee Bottoms. The win also matches the team’s total number of wins from 2022-23.
“We learned tonight that we just can’t stay comfortable when we’re up a little bit,” Gramlich said. “We have to stay ahead of the game, and we have to capitalize whenever we’re up like that. We have to keep the momentum going, not turn the ball over, and make good shots.”
The Lady Airedales, who travel to Russellville Friday, took a 24-7 lead in the first half before seeing their lead trimmed to four (37-33).
Jaden Gramlich led Alma (7-11, 1-1) with 14 points. Makinley McCartt added a trio of 3-pointers.
Airedales win again
The Alma Airedales built a 14-point second-half lead before holding their breath for a few minutes.
Junior Israel Towns-Robinson saved his best for last.
Towns-Robinson scored five of his team-high 18 points in the final two minutes to help lead Alma to a 60-49 victory over Siloam Springs. It's the first 2-0 start for the Airedales since 2018.
Siloam Springs (4-7, 0-2) fell behind 37-23 after Easton Boggs connected from the 3-point line early in the third quarter.
But the Panthers closed to within two (44-42) early in the fourth quarter. That’s when Towns-Robinson and Co. went to work.
Matthew Rodgers’ 3-pointer made it 47-42, and Towns-Robinson hit two foul shots to extend the lead to 49-42. Alma closed out Siloam Springs with a 16-7 run.
“We’re really happy; we’re excited, but it’s not enough … it’s never enough,” Towns-Robinson said following Tuesday’s win. “We have to keep working and keep pushing. It’s a good start, but we want to keep pushing to get better.”
Boggs finished with 17 points for the winners, and Miles Kendrick contributed 11 points.
“We’ve come out a lot better than last year,” Kendrick said. “But the job’s not done; we have to keep going.”
The Airedales will carry a three-game winning streak into Friday’s game at Russellville. Including last season’s final two wins over Greenwood and Mountain Home, the Airedales have now won four straight conference games.
Junior Boys
The Alma ninth-grade boys basketball rolled to a 45-32 win over the Harrison Goblins for the team’s second conference win in as many games.
The Airedales (12-2) were led by Carson Curd’s 10-point effort. The team’s point guard hit a pair of key 3-pointers.
Drake Ciampoli helped extend the lead in the third quarter by scoring seven points, including a 3-pointer. Boaz Benson and Cade Moore had six points apiece, and Hudson Loughridge and Lawson Adams finished with five points each.
Benson, Adams, and Loughridge also had four rebounds apiece. Benson, Moore, and Luke Stogsdill had a pair of assists.
The Airedales travel to Siloam Springs on Thursday.
Junior Girls
Faith Sartor nearly outscored Harrison by herself this week.
The Lady Airedales’ ninth grader poured in 20 points to pace Alma to a 53-23 win over the Lady Goblins. Olivia Hughes had 13 points, and Lauren Settle contributed seven.
Alma (2-0 in conference play) led wire-to-wire. The Lady Airedales have won seven straight.
Also for Alma, Izabella Plourde scored four points, and Anna Swarnes, Jaeli Morris, and Maddie Dunn finished with three points each.
The Airedales (11-2) host Siloam Springs Thursday.